I’m staying with an amazing family and I already feel at home. I arrived mid-morning and spent the entire day enthusiastically talking in Spanish to the family. Immediately, we all gathered in the cocina (kitchen) for café. As is custom here, they wanted to create a bond by asking questions about the trabajo (work) of my parents, the interests of my hermanos (siblings), my daily schedule back in the USA and if I have a novio (boyfriend).
It didn’t take long for Spanish to come right back to me! (it’s been 4 yrs since living in Mexico). Even I am surprised at the fluency! The accent is quite a bit different here. First, think of those movies where the Italians are talking very fast and the tone of their voice is up and down like a yo-yo. Then, the Spanish you learned in high school is thrown out the door. They don’t use “tu eres”, instead they say “vos sos”. And on top of that, think of the tiger Raja from movie Aladdin….now randomly insert the “ja” part in daily words like “yo” (pronounced show), “ella” (like asia), calle (like cashe). I feel like a 5 yr old sometimes. I need about 3 seconds to process what verb they’re using. Ha!
The entire family gathered at 2pm for almuerzo (lunch) and the mom made Italian food, mi favorita! Then we had a torta (pie) of a delicious fruit that they believe we do not have in the USA. “Bien rica”- very delicious! A little about mi familia nueva (my new family)…
The family I live with is divorced. There are two children- Leandro (22yrs) and Giselle (24 yrs). Leandro lives with us (as is custom until married or 30 yrs). His birthday is tomorrow and so the family is going to the mall tonight for presents after the “partido” (soccer game). Go Argentina! Giselle is a “jefa” (boss) at her dad’s company and makes good money to have her own apartment down the street to herself. La mama, Bianca, is a manager at the local hospital and she spends her nights studying a higher degree (masters?) in counseling/psychology. Her board exams are in one month. (She is from Italy and loves cooking!!!) Her “novio” (boyfriend) is Gustavo, who still has his own house and lives between both places. He owns a restaurant across town and is studying law, criminal and international. Conversations are never lacking with all their knowledge. In fact, this family only welcomes scholars, specifically they’ve had 3 from Duke University in the past.
Gustavo spent the day with us giving me a driving tour of the neighborhood, taking us out for café and sweets, telling me “bromas” (jokes) and talking to me about the politics and government here. He said here in Argentina he is my papa and he will protect me like his own daughter. How sweet! Just as sweet is the “dulce de leche” Giselle introduced me to. It’s a cross between nutella and caramel in the USA. Here it is in muffins, cookies, bread and croissants. I’m falling in love with the food already. Yummy!
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